Team

Yes, I am dating someone who slid into my DMs, but I am also dating a college athlete. I am dating a senior college athlete. I am dating a man that has the most respect on the team, the one who is always encouraging the guys, and has been around the longest. This man has dedicated his college years to this sport and the team. He has spent many hours outside of practice and weights meticulously taking care of the field and continuing to improve himself. He is not the only one who lives this life of morning weights, followed by class all day, afternoon practice, and then homework…there are 40 other men who lead the same life. When you spend mornings together, classes together, breaks together, and endure practices together, you will without a doubt be extremely close with each other. These guys have quite a remarkable bond.

Before I started dating Matthew, I was always intimidated by the “baseball corner” in our school’s PLC. It is a just a corner with some couches and chairs that is home to the baseball guys in between classes. However, they are rather loud, and their bond is always what intimidated me. So when I started talking to him, I still wouldn’t go to the corner because I was still so nervous, so he would venture over to me. Even after we started dating I was really scared. One day Matthew “made” me sit with him on couch one day. I was terrified, but I slowly relaxed and got to experience this bond amongst these guys from a different perspective. They worked on homework together, talked about weights, asked about plans, and SO.MANY. INSIDE JOKES. These guys are interesting individuals because well…they are college guys. I am sure they can be mature when they need to be, but a majority of the time it is playing poker and jokes.

One thing that definitely surprised me was, the guys talked to me…not immediately…and not in depth conversations, but they made and effort. They learned my name. Now a little over a month since we started dating I have no problem with venturing into corner without Matthew and I greet the guys on my way to and from class. Something that I once found very intimidating is now a source of happiness and comfort. I like being able to watch these guys interact and I laugh when they tell their inside joke, not because I understand them, but because I am laughing at their interactions and comfort level with one another. I also care about these guys because they love and support each other and they take care of the guy I deeply care about.

When I became Matthew’s girlfriend I wanted him to know that I do not expect him to put me before the team. He has been a part of this program for 5 years, and he has made a tremendous impact on the program and the program on him. It would not be right of me to be selfish or reasonable for me to ask him to put me before the team. I want him to enjoy his last year as a Cardinal because again, he is part of something special. I am honored to be the girlfriend of a senior college baseball player. I am honored to be able to watch these guys interact and work towards the conference championship every day. I am honored to give guys rides home. I am honored to play them in Mario kart and almost beat them. Lastly, I am excited to be in the stands this spring and watch these guys show how hard they have worked in the off season and how much they want to win.